Athlon Preseason Poll

[bluehenbillk]

Saw on Twitter this morning the top 5:

1- GSU
2- Wm & Mary
3- EWU
4- Montana St
5- App St

[grizzaholic]

Saw on Twitter this morning the top 5:

1- GSU
2- Wm & Mary
3- EWU
4- Montana St
5- App St

NO NDSU? Rigged.

[bandl]

I don't see how Liberty and Montana are going to make the final with this poll...

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

Saw on Twitter this morning the top 5:

1- GSU
2- Wm & Mary
3- EWU
4- Montana St
5- App St

No shock at all. I think the magazines will be high on GSU. I am a little surprised EWU wasn't #1 with GSU #2 but I am not shocked by any means. Montana State high means they expect McGhee to have a big year and if you saw him play I can certainly see why they feel that way.

I do predict App State won't finish in the top 5 though. I think they are heading on a slight decline. Too many good coaches lost and they lose a lot of key experience at WR, OL, and on defense in general. I was looking at the possible All-SoCon teams and right now I don't have an App guy on the first-team defense, however, I have four as possible second team guys. Their defense should be very good in a year from now but as of this year they don't have any stars and are mostly a unit of upside with little proven talent.

[ASUG8]

Saw on Twitter this morning the top 5:

1- GSU
2- Wm & Mary
3- EWU
4- Montana St
5- App St

No shock at all. I think the magazines will be high on GSU. I am a little surprised EWU wasn't #1 with GSU #2 but I am not shocked by any means. Montana State high means they expect McGhee to have a big year and if you saw him play I can certainly see why they feel that way.

I do predict App State won't finish in the top 5 though. I think they are heading on a slight decline. Too many good coaches lost and they lose a lot of key experience at WR, OL, and on defense in general. I was looking at the possible All-SoCon teams and right now I don't have an App guy on the first-team defense, however, I have four as possible second team guys. Their defense should be very good in a year from now but as of this year they don't have any stars and are mostly a unit of upside with little proven talent.

You could easily add Wofford anywhere here too.

[SmallCollegeFBFan]

No shock at all. I think the magazines will be high on GSU. I am a little surprised EWU wasn't #1 with GSU #2 but I am not shocked by any means. Montana State high means they expect McGhee to have a big year and if you saw him play I can certainly see why they feel that way.

I do predict App State won't finish in the top 5 though. I think they are heading on a slight decline. Too many good coaches lost and they lose a lot of key experience at WR, OL, and on defense in general. I was looking at the possible All-SoCon teams and right now I don't have an App guy on the first-team defense, however, I have four as possible second team guys. Their defense should be very good in a year from now but as of this year they don't have any stars and are mostly a unit of upside with little proven talent.

You could easily add Wofford anywhere here too.

And I do think Wofford will be very good as well. I don't see how they could be out of the top 10 with all they have back.

[Pwns]

Only one CAA in the top 5? I demand a ballot recount.

[bandl]

Only one CAA in the top 5? I demand a ballot recount.

The remaining CAA teams are ranked 6-14.

[andy7171]

Only one CAA in the top 5? I demand a ballot recount.

The remaining CAA teams are ranked 6-13, 221.

FIFY

[Silenoz]

The remaining CAA teams are ranked 6-13, 221.

FIFY

[ASUMountaineer]

Saw on Twitter this morning the top 5:

1- GSU
2- Wm & Mary
3- EWU
4- Montana St
5- App St

No shock at all. I think the magazines will be high on GSU. I am a little surprised EWU wasn't #1 with GSU #2 but I am not shocked by any means. Montana State high means they expect McGhee to have a big year and if you saw him play I can certainly see why they feel that way.

I do predict App State won't finish in the top 5 though. I think they are heading on a slight decline. Too many good coaches lost and they lose a lot of key experience at WR, OL, and on defense in general. I was looking at the possible All-SoCon teams and right now I don't have an App guy on the first-team defense, however, I have four as possible second team guys. Their defense should be very good in a year from now but as of this year they don't have any stars and are mostly a unit of upside with little proven talent.

I'm hoping you're wrong, but with the amount of turnover (coaches and players) ASU has had the past few years it is going to be tough. Can't wait for football season though. GreatAppState has started his 100 day countdown on the MMB. Go APPS!

[Appaholic]

I do predict App State won't finish in the top 5 though. I think they are heading on a slight decline. Too many good coaches lost and they lose a lot of key experience at WR, OL, and on defense in general. I was looking at the possible All-SoCon teams and right now I don't have an App guy on the first-team defense, however, I have four as possible second team guys. Their defense should be very good in a year from now but as of this year they don't have any stars and are mostly a unit of upside with little proven talent.

Agree. I'm a little worried this year because we are so inexperienced on defense as well as GSU, UTC & Wofford returning very good teams. While I hope I am very wrong, I am trying to prepare myself for the possibility of 3rd or 4th place finish and no playoffs....worst case scenario I believe, but possible if even 1 key player (Pressley or Quick) go down to an injury....I better shut up...

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Saw on Twitter this morning the top 5:

1- GSU
2- Wm & Mary
3- EWU
4- Montana St
5- App St

Even after winning a NC and returning almost everyone, we still get dismissed/slighted.

[GannonFan]

Saw on Twitter this morning the top 5:

1- GSU
2- Wm & Mary
3- EWU
4- Montana St
5- App St

Even after winning a NC and returning almost everyone, we still get dismissed/slighted.

I agree, although frankly, having W&M ahead of you is even more of a slight. I could see GSU being a horrible matchup for EWU - I think the TO would kill EWU. But W&M was pretty much even with UD last year and EWU brings back more than they do. If it was my poll EWU would be #1 coming in.

[Appaholic]

Even after winning a NC and returning almost everyone, we still get dismissed/slighted.

I agree, although frankly, having W&M ahead of you is even more of a slight. I could see GSU being a horrible matchup for EWU - I think the TO would kill EWU. But W&M was pretty much even with UD last year and EWU brings back more than they do. If it was my poll EWU would be #1 coming in.

EWU, by virtue of being last year's NC and returning majority of the team deserves #1. I would place GSU #2 and who cares about the rest....

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I agree, although frankly, having W&M ahead of you is even more of a slight. I could see GSU being a horrible matchup for EWU - I think the TO would kill EWU. But W&M was pretty much even with UD last year and EWU brings back more than they do. If it was my poll EWU would be #1 coming in.

EWU, by virtue of being last year's NC and returning majority of the team deserves #1. I would place GSU #2 and who cares about the rest....

Hopefully they will keep us there or move us down if we lose to UW. We play better as underdogs.

[BDKJMU]

Saw on Twitter this morning the top 5:

1- GSU
2- Wm & Mary
3- EWU
4- Montana St
5- App St

Even after winning a NC and returning almost everyone, we still get dismissed/slighted.

Doesn't EWU lose a 1/2 doz starters?

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Even after winning a NC and returning almost everyone, we still get dismissed/slighted.

Doesn't EWU lose a 1/2 doz starters?

Yes and no.

Offensive Starters Lost (3) –Taiwan Jones, RB; Matt Martin, TE; Nikolai Myers, OL.
Defensive Starters Lost (4) – Dante Calcote, DB; Jesse Hoffman, DB; Tyler Jolley, DL; J.C. Sherritt, LB.

The biggest losses are of course TJ and JC. But Mario showed he could hold his own against Nova's top 10 run D, we've upgraded at DT with UW transfer Andru Pulu, and the young guys at CB will be an upgrade over Calcote and Hoffman, not including Hoffman's return ability.

[BDKJMU]

Doesn't EWU lose a 1/2 doz starters?

Yes and no.

Offensive Starters Lost (3) –Taiwan Jones, RB; Matt Martin, TE; Nikolai Myers, OL.
Defensive Starters Lost (4) – Dante Calcote, DB; Jesse Hoffman, DB; Tyler Jolley, DL; J.C. Sherritt, LB.

The biggest losses are of course TJ and JC. But Mario showed he could hold his own against Nova's top 10 run D, we've upgraded at DT with UW transfer Andru Pulu, and the young guys at CB will be an upgrade over Calcote and Hoffman, not including Hoffman's return ability.

Just saying returning 15 of 22 starters is more than avg, but it isn't "almost everyone".

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Yes and no.

Offensive Starters Lost (3) –Taiwan Jones, RB; Matt Martin, TE; Nikolai Myers, OL.
Defensive Starters Lost (4) – Dante Calcote, DB; Jesse Hoffman, DB; Tyler Jolley, DL; J.C. Sherritt, LB.

The biggest losses are of course TJ and JC. But Mario showed he could hold his own against Nova's top 10 run D, we've upgraded at DT with UW transfer Andru Pulu, and the young guys at CB will be an upgrade over Calcote and Hoffman, not including Hoffman's return ability.

Just saying returning 15 of 22 starters is more than avg, but it isn't "almost everyone".

Almost everyone who mattered in our run last year. Better?

[GannonFan]

Doesn't EWU lose a 1/2 doz starters?

Yes and no.

Offensive Starters Lost (3) –Taiwan Jones, RB; Matt Martin, TE; Nikolai Myers, OL.
Defensive Starters Lost (4) – Dante Calcote, DB; Jesse Hoffman, DB; Tyler Jolley, DL; J.C. Sherritt, LB.

The biggest losses are of course TJ and JC. But Mario showed he could hold his own against Nova's top 10 run D, we've upgraded at DT with UW transfer Andru Pulu, and the young guys at CB will be an upgrade over Calcote and Hoffman, not including Hoffman's return ability.

I wouldn't get crazy about Mario yet - he had one good game against a gassed nova team that didn't know a thing about him going into the game. A few weeks later he was a no-show in the championship game (13 carries for 23 yards). The jury is clearly out on him, and even if he's just a good back that's still a pretty big step down from how good Jones was.

But don't get me wrong, EWU should be the #1 heading in - defending champ and no huge turnover in players from last year, and really no team out there who should vault ahead of them (even GSU IMO).

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Yes and no.

Offensive Starters Lost (3) –Taiwan Jones, RB; Matt Martin, TE; Nikolai Myers, OL.
Defensive Starters Lost (4) – Dante Calcote, DB; Jesse Hoffman, DB; Tyler Jolley, DL; J.C. Sherritt, LB.

The biggest losses are of course TJ and JC. But Mario showed he could hold his own against Nova's top 10 run D, we've upgraded at DT with UW transfer Andru Pulu, and the young guys at CB will be an upgrade over Calcote and Hoffman, not including Hoffman's return ability.

I wouldn't get crazy about Mario yet - he had one good game against a gassed nova team that didn't know a thing about him going into the game. A few weeks later he was a no-show in the championship game (13 carries for 23 yards). The jury is clearly out on him, and even if he's just a good back that's still a pretty big step down from how good Jones was.

But don't get me wrong, EWU should be the #1 heading in - defending champ and no huge turnover in players from last year, and really no team out there who should vault ahead of them (even GSU IMO).

Mario might not be the consistent home-run threat that TJ was that's for sure, but I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that he's a 1000 yard rusher this year, and about 10 TDs or more. He will surprise people this year with what he can do given a more prominent role. He was averaging 5-6 yards a carry throughout the spring.

[SpeedkingATL]

The only good thing about preseason polls is at least it gives us something to discuss during the slooooowwww season. I too would put EWU at #1 and you can mix the next 9 anyway you want to. App is a little more of an unknown this year but I expect if the team doesn't lose a lot of key players to injury they will be a force again in the SoCon and possibly the playoffs. They just aren't very deep especially on the lines and at WR. GSU will be a real bugger this year and might have a great defense. I see 4 SoCon teams as possible top 15 until they start knocking each out off.

[93henfan]

All you really need to know about preseason polls:

Athlon's 2010 Preseason Top 5 with (TSN Final Poll in parentheses)
1 Villanova (3rd)
2 Appalachian State (4th)
3 Richmond (unranked)
4 Montana (20th)
5 William & Mary (10th)

[Screamin_Eagle174]

All you really need to know about preseason polls:

Athlon's 2010 Preseason Top 5 with (TSN Final Poll in parentheses)
1 Villanova (3rd)
2 Appalachian State (4th)
3 Richmond (unranked)
4 Montana (20th)
5 William & Mary (10th)

If that's not ECB, I don't know what is! (putting last year's defending champs preseason #1, but not this year's)